Small Urban Electric Cars on the Rise: Which Are the Best to Buy in 2023?"
The segment of small urban cars in Vietnam is about to welcome new members with electric engines, promising to "revolutionize" the market in the near future.
In 2022, the small urban car segment in Vietnam experienced a sharp decline in sales. The main reason was the limited choices for consumers, coupled with the fact that owning a car was not easily affordable. However, this situation is expected to change soon, as Vietnamese consumers will have many new options with sophisticated, cost-effective, and highly advantageous electric car models.
The Vietnamese market is set to welcome entirely new models in the small urban car segment.
- The Electric Mini Car Trend Energizing the Vietnamese Market
Instead of choosing traditional internal combustion engine cars, Vietnamese consumers are gradually showing interest in electric cars. However, in the initial period, the high cost of owning such cars, mainly due to expensive battery costs, posed a significant challenge. From 2023 onwards, the cost of electric cars will no longer be a hindrance, thanks to the introduction of the mini electric car segment with compact battery sizes, optimizing the overall cost.
The emergence of mini electric cars in the Vietnamese market is seen as inevitable, aligning with the global traffic trend and addressing environmental issues and traffic congestion in major cities. Specifically, small electric urban cars bring the following benefits:
- Mini electric cars use energy from batteries, producing no greenhouse gas emissions through exhaust pipes, thus meeting environmental emission reduction requirements.
- These cars offer smooth operation, helping reduce noise pollution in densely trafficked areas.
- With compact dimensions and a small turning radius, mini electric cars can move flexibly in various conditions such as crowded streets, narrow alleys, limited-space driveways, and small parking lots.
- The daily commuting needs of urban residents are generally short-distance, making the operation of mini electric cars perfectly suitable.
- Charging mini electric cars is straightforward due to their small battery size and compatibility with household power sources, allowing users to charge at home by simply plugging in the vehicle at the end of the day for it to be ready for use the next day.
Mini electric cars are expected to make the small urban car segment vibrant.
Moreover, the price of mini electric cars is easily accessible, lower than the prevalent A-segment gasoline cars in the market and only slightly higher than premium scooters. Experts explain that the growing clean energy sector is leading to the development of safer, high-capacity batteries with low costs.
With electric mini cars, the small size also helps reduce the burden on batteries, allowing the vehicle to travel longer distances without consuming much energy. Additionally, the reduced battery size significantly cuts down production costs for both batteries and vehicles.
- Top Ideal Electric Cars for Urban Mobility
2.1 Wuling MiniEV
This model has consistently held the "throne" in the global mini electric car segment for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, 2022). The car boasts dreamlike sales figures, reaching about 1 million units from July 2020 to December 2022.
The appeal of the Wuling HongGuang MiniEV, a small electric urban car, lies in its "affordable" price, stylish design, sufficient utility, and suitability for the commuting needs of many urban users. Notably, despite its modest exterior dimensions, the intelligent interior layout allows the car to comfortably accommodate four adults. Users can also adjust the rear seat for convenient storage of additional items when needed.
Wuling HongGuang MiniEV is poised to be the best-priced urban car in the Vietnamese market in the near future.
2.2 Citroen Ami
Citroen Ami created a sensation in Europe with its unique and innovative design. Instead of focusing on performance power, this small urban car's operating capacity is deliberately limited. With small dimensions and a maximum speed of 45 km/h, driving the Citroen Ami in many Western countries does not require a driver's license; only individuals aged 16 and above can operate it. In France, the birthplace of this unique car, teenagers as young as 14 can operate it legally.
Citroen Ami on the streets of Europe.
2.3 Chery Ice Cream
The Chery Ice Cream model, born later, has a square appearance similar to the renowned Wuling HongGuang MiniEV. The car introduces different battery versions, providing users with additional options suitable for their needs. The presence of Chery Ice Cream illustrates the increasing diversity in the mini electric car market, offering customers the opportunity to access a variety of products tailored to their preferences.
Chery Ice Cream contributes to making the small urban car market more vibrant.
2.4 Leapmotor T03
Compared to other cars in the same segment, the Leapmotor T03 comes with several enhanced features, notably the Level 2 autonomous driving system. These features make the car more expensive than many competitors. However, according to industry experts, the price is justified by the quality and provides users with diverse choices.
Leapmotor T03 is highly rated for its safety features.
2.5 Baojun E100/200
The Baojun E100, along with the improved E200 version, is a product of the globally renowned automotive joint venture GM (SAIC - WULING) - the "parent" of the famous Wuling HongGuang MiniEV. This model has made waves in many markets, laying the foundation for the "explosion" of mini electric cars in various regions. It is also a leading small urban car in Liuzhou, the "capital" of electric cars in China.
Baojun E200 on the streets.
With the introduction of small electric urban cars, Vietnam's traffic is likely to quickly catch up with the global "green" transportation trend. Additionally, achieving the nation's goal of a net zero emission by 2050 is entirely feasible.
- The content of the article is for reference purposes.
